Businesses in the southwest Alabama — including Escambia County — that have been affected by the gulf oil spill will be eligible for U.S. Small Business Administration disaster loans.

Gov. Bob Riley on Thursday announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration has approved his request to aid businesses that have been financially impacted by the oil spill in the gulf.

Riley requested and the SBA approved an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.  The declaration applies to Mobile, Baldwin, Clarke, Escambia, Monroe and Washington counties in Alabama.
“BP is the responsible party for this disaster and we continue to encourage Alabama businesses that have suffered economic loss due to the oil spill to file claims with BP,” Riley said in a statement.  “However, help from the Small Business Administration is available and is a tool that employers who have been hurt by the oil spill may want to use.”

SBA disaster loans will be available to qualified businesses and nonprofit organizations in the approved counties.

The SBA will be opening Business Recovery Centers in the state to take applications.  Information on the location of Business Recovery Centers will be available soon.

Businesses that want to file a claim with BP can call 800-440-0858 or file at claims offices on North Wintzell Avenue in Bayou La Batre or 1506 North McKenzie Street in Foley.